Optimizing the timing of antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery: an intervention study

The timing of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis was determined before and after an intervention programme of education of surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses on the subject of antimicrobial drug prophylaxis, and the subsequent implementation of new protocols of single dose prophylaxis administered within one hour before incision. This prospective study was performed in three surgical departments of a university hospital. For comparison, the timing of prophylaxis was also determined in an operating department of a community hospital. The timing improved considerably in the departments of the university hospital where the intervention was carried out: administration of the first dose within one hour before incision increase